Cosmetic Dentistry: Secrets to a Dazzling White Smile

A bright, white smile is a modern-day obsession. With the dental market offering numerous effective and safe whitening systems, it’s surprising that not everyone flaunts a radiant smile. To understand why and to learn about the nuances of teeth whitening, we turn to Elena Bogutskaya, a therapeutic dentist of the first qualified category.

Preparatory Stage

To maintain healthy teeth and a beautiful smile, it’s crucial to practice proper and daily oral hygiene using a full range of personal care products. Your dentist can guide you on the correct way to brush your teeth and recommend additional oral care products. If you’re unhappy with the color of your clean and healthy teeth, consider teeth whitening. The whitening process is a controlled chemical reaction that releases active oxygen, which whitens the hard tissues of the teeth.

Contraindications

Absolute: Age under 18, pregnancy and breastfeeding, allergic reactions to hydrogen peroxide, issues with the temporomandibular joint, psychological status of the patient, claustrophobia.

Relative: Cavities, devitalized (non-vital) teeth, dental deposits, gum inflammation, increased tooth sensitivity. These conditions require preliminary treatment before the whitening procedure.

Types of Whitening

Dentists typically use in-office and at-home whitening methods.

In-Office Whitening

Applying a high-concentration gel to the teeth in a dental office yields good and quick results. After isolating the gums, the gel is applied to the vestibular surface of the teeth. To accelerate the chemical reaction and deepen the penetration of the whitening agent, the applied gel is activated by a light source, such as modern cold light lamps or lasers.

After the procedure, it’s recommended to follow a “white diet” for 48 hours. The result is visible immediately, but the final color is established after about two weeks.

At-Home Whitening

At-home whitening involves creating a custom dental tray using a special thermo-vacuum device. You then apply the whitening gel using this tray. The gel used at home has a lower concentration compared to the in-office gel, typically around 10-16%.

The trays are worn for 2-3 weeks, 6-8 hours a night. Teeth may not whiten for various reasons. If the necks of the teeth are not whitening, the tray may not fit tightly. Another reason could be an ill-fitting tray. It should have a straight, polished edge that covers the necks of the teeth by at least a millimeter. Teeth may not whiten if the person is not motivated and forgets to wear the tray as scheduled. Additionally, the gel itself must be stored and transported correctly to maintain its effectiveness.

If the teeth are very dark, in-office whitening may be the first step, followed by at-home whitening. The whitening procedure can be repeated after 2 years.

The “White Diet”

During the “white diet,” the following should be avoided:

Cola
Mustard
Tobacco
Ketchup
Berries
Beets
Soy sauce
Red sauces
Red wine
Coffee
Tea

Vita Shade Guide

Teeth whitening does not always yield the desired result, and this can happen for various reasons. The dentist’s task is to select a whitening system, choose a method, and provide a realistic prognosis for the patient.

If the teeth are completely healthy and their color falls within groups A or B on the Vita shade guide, the whitening result will likely be good. Group D teeth are much harder to whiten, requiring higher gel concentrations and longer application times. Group C teeth whiten the least, and the teeth will never become significantly lighter. Additionally, teeth with high transparency will not show a noticeable effect, as the dark background of the oral cavity will cause the teeth to take on grayish tones.

If the teeth have structural enamel defects (wedge-shaped effects, chips, abrasion of the cutting edge), additional staining from various organic dyes (tea, coffee, wine, fruits, vegetables, tobacco) may occur. Mild staining is easily whitened, but if the color change is pronounced and long-standing, the result may be unsatisfactory.

Taking tetracycline antibiotics at the age of 1-2 years can cause tooth discoloration that cannot be whitened later.

Sensitivity

The whitening process is always associated with increased sensitivity. To reduce this, remineralizing therapy using gels with fluoride and calcium can be performed before the procedure. It’s also crucial to follow all the dentist’s instructions during whitening and to adhere to specific rules regarding oral care, diet, and tooth brushing after the procedure.

Post-Whitening Care

To refresh your smile, professional hygiene and whitening gel with a tray may be sufficient. To maintain the whitening effect, limit smoking and consumption of intense food colorings. Use special whitening toothpastes containing a low concentration of peroxides, but no more than twice a week.

As recommended by the dentist, brief repeat courses of at-home whitening can be performed: once every 3-6 months or less, as indicated. Remember that the duration of the whitening effect depends on individual characteristics. Maintain ideal hygiene (remember to use toothbrushes, floss, mouthwash, and irrigators), attend preventive check-ups, and use trays with at-home whitening once a month for 8 hours. It’s better to take care of your teeth in a timely manner.

For more information, visit the American Dental Association.